LocalSportsJournal.com

The Western Michigan Christian girls basketball team took sole possession of first place in the Lakes 8 Conference with an exciting 40-36 victory over Ludington on Friday night.

WMC led 21-18 heading into the half, but the Orioles grabbed a 30-28 edge after three.

The Warriors clamped down defensively in the fourth quarter and outscored the Orioles 12-6 and seal the victory. Ludington had a four-point advantage with 4:05 left, then WMC’s Jenna Houskamp made the go- ahead basket with 1:30 remaining.

WMC was led by Madison Heiss with 13 points while Aubrey Goorman added 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Ludington was paced by Mackenzie Luce with eight points.

The Warriors are now 9-1 overall and 5-0 in conference play.

WEST MICHIGAN CONFERENCE

SHELBY 44, RAVENNA 21 – Jenny Beckman led the Tigers with 21 points while Tori Mussell added 11 points and seven rebounds. Shelby (9-3, 6-1) jumped out to a 17-3 advantage after the first quarter, led 27-5 at halftime and had a 44-16 lead heading into the final stanza.

MONTAGUE 47, HART 36 (Thursday) – The Wildcats led 14-11 after the first quarter, 25-19 at halftime and 39-25 through three quarters. Tianna Smith paced Montague with 11 points and six rebounds, Grace Meacham added nine points and eight rebounds and Braquelle Osborne chipped in nine points and three assists.

CSAA

TRI COUNTY 44, FREMONT 41– Fremont jumped out to a 9-4 lead after the first quarter, but Tri-County came out firing in the second quarter and took a 24-19 halftime lead. Fremont regained a 31-30 edge heading into the fourth, but with a minute to go, the Vikings hit two free throws to gain their final advantage. The Packers had two late shots, but they fell short to end the game. Calla Miller led the Packers with 13 points and eight steals.

KENT CITY 86, HESPERIA 32 – A 31-point first quarter helped propel Kent City to a CSAA conference victory. The Eagles (9-3, 5-0) were led by Audrey Dreyer with 21 points while Zada Weber added 19, which included five three-point baskets. Kent City led 31-10 after the first quarter, 51-20 at halftime and 72-27 after three quarters.

WEST MICHIGAN D

PENTWATER 65, BIG RAPIDS CROSSROADS 27 – Four players had strong nights for the Falcons. Julia Hall led way with 18 points, six steals and five rebounds; Madi Wagner had 15 points, 12 rebounds and four steals; Taylor Wilkinson had 12 points, 16 rebounds and five steals; and Terra Cluchey had nine points and six rebounds.